The holiday season is behind us, and it's finally time to switch to lighter dishes that include lots of vegetables. That's why I think this is the perfect time to talk to you about electric woks.

So, have you considered buying one?

You're probably thinking:

How can I be sure I choose the best electric wok?

Don't worry, that's why you have me on your team – today's article is dedicated to helping you find the perfect one for your needs.

As a fan of dishes inspired by the Asian cuisine, finding the best electric wok was a top priority for me, especially since I've decided it's time to retire my traditional wok after years of heavy use. And with a little help from my side, you'll be able to find the perfect wok in no time, too.

First Things First: What Is An Electric Wok And Why You Need One

Well, except the one very noticeable difference: an electric wok doesn't need a dedicated oven, or a stovetop, for that matter – the electric wok will come with a heating element already built-in. All you need to do is to plug it in, and that's it – you're ready to start cooking all those delicious recipes.

One of the most significant advantages is how portable these woks are.

Instead of being conditioned by the placement of your stove, you can place the wok on a more convenient location – the kitchen island, for example – and chat with your family and friends while you're cooking.

And those of you that are huge fans of camping trips will appreciate the fact that you can bring an electric wok with you – as long as your camping spot has access to electricity, that is.

How To Choose The Best Electric Wok: Barbara’s Helpful Buying Guide

Without further ado, here’s a list of features you should consider before you make a purchase:

1. Material: Stainless Steel, Aluminum Or Something Else?

The main thing you need to look for is an electric wok with a non-stick surface. Trust me; you don’t want to spend the rest of the night scrubbing off all the burned food from the bottom of the unit.

Once you’ve made sure the wok does, in fact, have a non-stick interior surface, the rest is pretty much a matter of preference. Stainless steel, aluminum, ceramics, copper – it’s up to you.

That’s not to say that some of these materials don’t offer particular advantages – they most certainly do, especially if you’re worried about scratching the non-stick finish and ingesting the flakes by accident. In that case, a more durable option, such as stainless steel or ceramics might be the best choice for you.

2. Size And Capacity Are Important

One of the first things I looked into when I was conducting my search for the best electric wok was the size of the appliance. Making sure it was big enough to prepare a meal for my family was my top priority – and it should be yours, as well.

However, don’t get carried away – you’ll have to store the unit somewhere. So, before you go on and buy the biggest one you can find, consider the amount of counter space (as well as storage space) you have available and choose accordingly.

3. Adjustable Heat Settings

While most electric woks aren't able to reach the same heat levels as the traditional ones are, just because electrical appliances have to be capped at a specific temperature, that doesn't mean they won't be able to perform equally as good.

Most will be able to reach a temperature of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, though, so there's no need to worry about that. What you should keep an eye on are the heat settings – you want a unit that will allow you to adjust the temperature just right.

It may not seem significant, but trust me, you'll appreciate having that level of control during the cooking process.

4. Set Your Budget And Stick With It

Now's the time to be honest with yourself:

How often do you plan on using your electric wok?

Because here's the thing:

You could buy a $30 electric wok, and it will work fine. However, if you honestly plan on using it more than once every couple of months, you should consider investing a bit more. While a cheaper one will be able to do the job, it will probably break after a year or so, which means you'll just end up buying a new one.

Sometimes saving up doesn't work out as planned, huh?

Best Electric Wok Recommendations - Barbara’s Top 5 Favorites 2019

If you have a big family to cook for, you're going to have to find an electric wok large enough to accommodate the amount of food you'll be making – and this Aroma Housewares model is one of the best for the job.

With a 7-quart capacity and a non-stick interior, this electric wok should be more than enough to feed a family of four – trust me on this. The handles, as well as the base, are heat resistant, which plays a huge role in preventing any potential burns.

Of course, there are some things I didn't like, as well.

First off, I've noticed that the heating element protrudes from the bottom of the wok, causing the food to burn. And before you go on to say that a little bit of stirring would've prevented it, I've tried it, and no, it didn't help.

Also, the opaque lid made it hard to take a quick look at the food during the cooking process. Oh, if I had a penny for each time the hot steam burned my hands as I lifted the lid...

As I said previously, there's no need to spend a small fortune on an electric wok, and to prove that, I decided to include this Presto 5900 model in my round-up.

Those of you that are working with a slightly smaller budget will appreciate the fact that you can still afford a decent electric wok at a reasonable price.

The wok is made of stainless steel, which promises a certain level of durability, and it's dishwasher safe (and so is the lid), which is a huge plus. The cover, on the other hand, is made of tempered glass and also features a stainless steel rim, as well as the handle.

A wooden spatula is also included in the package, which is a pretty fantastic offer for the price.

One thing I noticed is that the cord is a bit too short, which takes away from the wok's portability – unless you have plenty of outlets in your kitchen, you won't be able to move it around as much.

Also, due to its shape, only the flat area at the bottom gets heated – the sides don't. I don't see it as a deal breaker, but I'm worried that it might cause some discoloration on the bottom. Again, it's not much of an issue, but I wanted to let you know, anyway.

What I genuinely liked is the combination of materials used – stainless steel and glass are always a good combo, not just when it comes to quality, but appearance-wise, as well.

So, the base is made of stainless steel, which, as I said previously, is one of the standard materials used to make electric woks – and a personal favorite of mine, too.

The lid, on the other hand, is made of glass, which makes it quite easy to take a look at your food during the cooking process without lifting it.

Those of you that aren't big on washing dishes will appreciate the fact that both the lid and the bowl are dishwasher safe.

The first issue I had with this model – it's not a deal breaker, but it's still worth mentioning – is how heavy it is. The lid, in particular, is what worried me the most. I kept wondering what would happen if I accidentally dropped it – it's made of glass, after all.

I hope I won't come to that, though.

Pros

It has a durable stainless steel base

The wok has a 6-quart capacity, meaning it’s suitable for families

The glass lid allows you to keep an eye on your food

Both the bowl and the cover are dishwasher safe

The temperature control probe is removable

Cons

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The entire thing, but especially the lid, seemed a bit too heavy for me

My next recommendation is another Breville model, this time the EW30XL – a giant electric wok suitable for preparing family-size dishes.

The amount of control you'll get over the cooking process is impressive. While most units do have some temperature settings, this one takes it to the next level with its 14 different heat settings, and an added high sear option.

And since the base is removable, cleaning the wok won't be hard, either – just pop it in the dishwasher and let it do the rest.

I'd also like to point out that this Breville model has a glass lid with a steam vent. It may not seem like a big deal, but if the dish you're making requires a lot of stirring, the steam won't burn your hands every time you lift the lid.

And speaking of lids, I love the fact that it's a glass one, as it allows me to check on my food without having to open the wok every single time.

Now, let's talk about the disadvantages.

Even though I did use the utensils recommended by the manufacturer, the interior still got scratched rather easily. It still does the job well, and I haven't noticed any significant flaking, but it just doesn't look quite as pleasant as it used to.

Pros

The base is removable, and the wok is dishwasher safe

It has 14 heat settings and a high sear option

The glass lid has a steam vent

Non-stick cooking surface (four layers)

Cons

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Storage might be an issue due to its size

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The interior gets scratched quickly (even if you use the recommended utensils)

Whenever you're working in the kitchen, safety should be a priority – burning your fingers is never fun. So, learning that this 6-quart West Bend wok has heat-resistant handles, as well as the base, was a pretty big deal for me.

And while I do enjoy cooking, I think we can all agree that the entire cleaning up process that comes afterward isn't nearly as fun.

So, having a wok with a detachable base is super convenient – not only is the unit dishwasher safe, but it's also wholly immersible. In case you don't have a dishwasher, clean up is still a breeze – just fill the sink with warm water and submerge the wok in it.

Now, as I previously mentioned, the idea of having an opaque lid on my wok doesn't seem like a convenient thing to me. I know that opening the cover isn't that much of a hassle, and it may seem to you like I'm overreacting, but I promise you that's not the case. Just think about all the hot steam that accumulates inside the wok during the cooking process, and you'll get why.

Oh, and while we're on the subject of things I didn't quite like about this model – the temperature control has a bit of an unfortunate placement.

Pros

The unit is immersible and dishwasher safe

It features adjustable temperature control

The support ledge will keep the food warm

The handles and base are heat resistant and safe to handle

Cons

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The lid is opaque, so you can’t take a quick look at your food

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The temperature control is a bit hard to reach

The Best Electric Wok: Final Verdict

I know you're dying to know which one's my personal favorite, so I don't want to keep you in the dark any longer.

The one I opted for – and the one I highly recommend to you as the best electric wok on the market – is the Breville BEW600XL Hot Wok.

Barbara Whitney

For the last 20 years, I’ve been cooking, preparing, researching, and gathering recipes, tools, and knowledge about food and the way we prepare it. Raising two lively boys and spoiling one great husband later, it’s safe to say that I’ve optimized my kitchen to deliver the best possible meal, no matter the occasion.

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